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Derby logo
Championship
Feb 21, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Sheffield Wednesday logo

3-2

Buxton (47', 68'), Bent (77' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-1)
McGugan (20'), Keane (55')

Preview: Derby County vs. Sheffield Wednesday

Sports Mole looks at the key talking points ahead of Saturday's Championship game between Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.

Derby County have the chance to end a rare disappointing run of results when they play host to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

Steve McClaren's side have been one of the most entertaining in the Championship this season, but they prepare for their latest challenge without a win in the last three games.

Draws with Bournemouth and Rotherham United came either side of a 2-1 loss to Reading in the FA Cup fifth round, although the defeat in that competition allows the Rams to focus on securing promotion back to the Premier League.

Current form suggests that the race for automatic promotion could go down to the final days of the campaign, with Derby currently sitting third, one point behind leaders Middlesbrough.

With just eight points currently separating the top eight teams, McClaren will be fully aware that his side can not wait much longer for a return to their best form.

Despite being held to a 3-3 draw by Rotherham United in midweek, the good news was that loan signings Darren Bent and Tom Ince continued to shine with three goals between them in a dramatic game.

Wednesday's form has been even more frustrating, and Stuart Gray must find a way to boost morale in the squad following six matches without a win in the Championship.

The poor run has dealt a big blow to Wednesday's playoff hopes, with Gray's side currently trailing sixth-placed Norwich City by 13 points with 15 league games remaining.

Changes are likely for Wednesday, and both Sam Hutchinson and Adthe Nuhiu are expected to be given starting roles as the Owls look to hold on to a place in the top half of the table.

Derby striker Chris Martin is still out with injury, which means that Bent is set to lead the line once again.

Derby:

Form in Championship: LWWWDD
Form in all competitions: WWWDLD

Possible starting lineup: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Mascarell, Hendrick, Hughes; Ward, Ince, Bent

Sheffield Wednesday:

Recent form: LDLDLD

Possible starting lineup: Westwood, Hutchinson, Palmer, Lees, Helan, Zayate, Maghoma, Lee, Bus, McGugan, Nuhiu

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Darren Bent in action for Derby County on January 17, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1695226121432
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
3Burnley168621961330
4Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


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